PatsWin2002
08-31-2005, 10:14 PM
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/12528395.htm
Posted on Wed, Aug. 31, 2005
High-priced Putzier welcomes the competition
BY FRANK SCHWAB
The Gazette
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - (KRT) - Not many backup tight ends in the NFL have $12.5 million contracts, but Jeb Putzier doesn't consider himself a backup.
Putzier has worked behind Stephen Alexander when the Denver Broncos have used one tight end in a base offensive formation, but Putzier might be getting close to passing Alexander on the depth chart. This week in the opening drills of practice, which the media is allowed to watch, Putzier and Alexander have split time with the first-team offense when only one tight end is on the field.
But Putzier said he's not preoccupied with the competition between him and Alexander and isn't worried about who will start this season because the Broncos will use plenty of two tight-end sets this season.
"We'll both get our balls, we'll both get our (repetitions) and we're both unselfish players who want to make this team better," Putzier said. "It sounds like the perfect thing to say, but it really is that way with us."
Denver probably envisioned a big role for Putzier when it matched a five-year, $12.5 million restricted free agent contract he signed with the New York Jets this offseason. Putzier was a restricted free agent and the Broncos had a right to match any offer.
Putzier said he didn't feel any extra pressure because of his new contract.
The reason Putzier hasn't been starting ahead of Alexander is because Alexander is a better blocker. Blocking has been Putzier's weakness since he converted from college receiver to tight end in the NFL.
But Putzier is improving, with some help from Alexander.
"With (tight ends coach Tim) Brewster here and Stephen, I'm doing what I need to do better than I've ever done since I've been here," Putzier said. "It's made my game, overall, a lot better."
Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak didn't rule out Putzier being the No.1 tight end to begin the season. He noted Putzier is becoming a better blocker, although he hasn't passed Alexander in that aspect.
And like Putzier, Kubiak wasn't concerned about who starts to begin the regular season.
"Jeb and Stephen have played extremely well," Kubiak said. "They're two different type of animals, one is more physical than the other and we use them both. I look at them both as starters."
Posted on Wed, Aug. 31, 2005
High-priced Putzier welcomes the competition
BY FRANK SCHWAB
The Gazette
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - (KRT) - Not many backup tight ends in the NFL have $12.5 million contracts, but Jeb Putzier doesn't consider himself a backup.
Putzier has worked behind Stephen Alexander when the Denver Broncos have used one tight end in a base offensive formation, but Putzier might be getting close to passing Alexander on the depth chart. This week in the opening drills of practice, which the media is allowed to watch, Putzier and Alexander have split time with the first-team offense when only one tight end is on the field.
But Putzier said he's not preoccupied with the competition between him and Alexander and isn't worried about who will start this season because the Broncos will use plenty of two tight-end sets this season.
"We'll both get our balls, we'll both get our (repetitions) and we're both unselfish players who want to make this team better," Putzier said. "It sounds like the perfect thing to say, but it really is that way with us."
Denver probably envisioned a big role for Putzier when it matched a five-year, $12.5 million restricted free agent contract he signed with the New York Jets this offseason. Putzier was a restricted free agent and the Broncos had a right to match any offer.
Putzier said he didn't feel any extra pressure because of his new contract.
The reason Putzier hasn't been starting ahead of Alexander is because Alexander is a better blocker. Blocking has been Putzier's weakness since he converted from college receiver to tight end in the NFL.
But Putzier is improving, with some help from Alexander.
"With (tight ends coach Tim) Brewster here and Stephen, I'm doing what I need to do better than I've ever done since I've been here," Putzier said. "It's made my game, overall, a lot better."
Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak didn't rule out Putzier being the No.1 tight end to begin the season. He noted Putzier is becoming a better blocker, although he hasn't passed Alexander in that aspect.
And like Putzier, Kubiak wasn't concerned about who starts to begin the regular season.
"Jeb and Stephen have played extremely well," Kubiak said. "They're two different type of animals, one is more physical than the other and we use them both. I look at them both as starters."